Our Team

For more than 22 years, Shayne Gallagher has provided healing wilderness experiences for adolescents, young adults, and families. With his deep understanding of the innate therapeutic effects of a wilderness experience on the healing of young people, Shayne has become a recognized leader in teen and young adult treatment.

In 1986, Shayne designed a program to foster principle-centered leadership, improved self-esteem, and a positive peer culture. The success of this program and his passion for the outdoors led him to the next phase of his career—working as a field instructor at a wilderness therapy program.

Since his start in the field of wilderness therapy, Shayne has worked as a trainer, program developer, field director, and program director. In his role as founder and executive director of WinGate Wilderness Therapy, Shayne continues to be one of the most sought-after consultants and presenters in the wilderness-therapy industry. With over 1400 days in the field working directly with adolescents and young adults, Shayne’s passion for and confidence in wilderness therapy only continues to grow.

Shayne is a popular speaker at national conferences including NATSAP, NATWC, and Naropa. His professional talks include: Ethics in Counseling, Intervention without Coercion, Mentorship in Wilderness Settings, Making Primitive Musical Instruments, The Use of Metaphor in Wilderness Therapy, and Inviting Inquiry.

Shayne is dedicated to helping students and families find hope for the future. As one student eloquently put it, “Shayne found a way to impact my life more than any other person I encountered on the trail. He is truly gifted at reaching inside a student’s soul and bringing to light its innate greatness.”

Sheri was born in Utah, however, typical of military families, her family moved a lot. The longest she lived in one place was 2½ years, which was in Mississippi. Her favorite places are Queens Fort in Rhode Island, Yuma, Arizona, Kailua, Hawaii and Fallbrook California. In these various environments, she learned to love the outdoors. Turtles, frogs and lizards are dear to her heart. Through these moving experiences, Sheri also learned to develop friendships fast, this skill has served her in her many years of quickly developing relationships of trust with the adolescents and young adults with whom she has worked.

Sheri has a Masters degree in Recreation Administration from Brigham Young University. Throughout her college tenure, she was chosen to lead many and varied recreational programs and trips with a variety of age groups, and in a variety of venues. Sheri has taught courses from canoeing to rappelling, and from beach and desert survival, to winter camping skills.

While in college, Sheri worked several years for the National Indian Youth Leadership Program, for which she was the Outdoor Recreation Specialist, and served on it's board of directors. These efforts were her introduction to a long career of working with at-risk youth.

As part of her masters degree program, Sheri helped design and implement the 1st long-term wilderness therapy program. She has worked at four other wilderness programs, in many cases helping them develop their curriculum and program features. Sheri is one of the most experienced persons in the wilderness therapy industry. Sheri is listed in Who's Who, and 2000 notable women.

Sheri met Shayne Gallagher while both were field staff at one of the original wilderness therapy programs. They have 6 children. (Tay, Phoenix, Teague, Yanni, Arizona, and Crete.) During one Christmas vacation, they took their children on a 35-mile survival trip when the youngest was 9 because that's how they roll!

With the exception of a two-year period in which Blaine spent performing service in Argentina, Blaine has worked continuously in the Wilderness Therapy industry since 1988. He began as a wilderness therapy field instructor and has more than 2,000 "trail days" under his belt. Blaine has been recruited to assist in helping establish new wilderness therapy programs, and to improve upon existing ones.

His extensive experience has included holding several positions in multiple wilderness therapy programs across several states. These positions have included; Field Instructor, Senior Field instructor, Assistant Field Director, Field Director, Program Director, and Risk Management Director. Blaine currently has a variety of duties at WinGate including Assistant Operations Director.

Blaine has over 20 years experience as a certified instructor in descaltaion and therapeutic holds. He is a contributor to the development of Utah State Code R501-8 state licensing rules for wilderness therapy programs.

With his extreme level of involvement in, and vast understanding of the requisite underpinnings of any wilderness therapy program, Blaine continues to offer his unique insights that can only come from one of the most experienced persons in the entire industry. Very few people can say they have been working in this specific field for nearly 30 years. Blaine is one of those who can.

Michael Sanders was first introduced to wilderness therapy and the power of natural medicine when his sister was enrolled as a student in a wilderness therapy program in 1996. This experience was powerful. It was a changing event for his whole family, and inspired Michael to begin working as a wilderness therapy field guide in Arizona from 1997-1999. Michael met the woman of his heart, who was also then a guide, during this time. They met literally in the wild! Teaching and learning from the natural environment has influenced how Michael has pursued his parenting, education and training ever since. He and his wife were married in 1999. Michael graduated from the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in 2002, Mesa Community College in 2004 (go thunderbirds!) and then from Arizona State University in 2006 with a degree in the academic study of religion. He is an avid martial artist, and student of the Tao Te Ching and the Taoist life arts of taijiquan and baguazhang. For nearly ten years, Michael had worked in a wellness center as a manual somatic therapist and personal cultivation and well-being coach before returning to wilderness therapy in 2014 as a field director. Michael is an energetic teacher, Arbinger seminar facilitator and a member of the Arbinger Coaching Network. He joined the WinGate Wilderness Therapy field leadership team in 2019. His passion for loving and learning from nature as a way of healing is a driving factor in his work with the staff and the families that come to WinGate. Michael lives happily in Arizona and Utah and is a devoted husband and a father of five beautiful and wonderfully crazy children, including four teenagers, who are growing fast like edible plants.

Lekos Kefálas grew up in sunny St. George, Utah. Exploring the red rocks and camping in national parks is seemingly a natural way of life in southern Utah, so he was never a stranger to the impact the outdoors has on everyone that visits. Through his own crucible of becoming self reliant and finding purpose through his talents he discovered his ability to connect and motivate adolescence and young adults specifically through the addiction recovery process.

With more than ten years in the mental health industry working at various programs and along the way seeing many styles and approaches, he found himself often returning to the wilderness setting for what he describes to be “The right conditions for self discovery.” Empowering students to learn just how creative they can be without the distractions of the mainstream world and watching that spark of self awareness ignite has been Lekos’ passion and life purpose.

Kolton was born in Kanab, UT and raised out on the hills and cliffs that surround the area. He understands the power that the wilderness has on a person by experiencing it through his adolescence to becoming a Transporter, then Field Instructor, and now Logistics Director for WinGate. He enjoys being outside, hunting, meeting new people, and spending time with his family.

Erin Grover has spent the last 18 years helping individuals and families grow and make positive changes. During her 15 years in the wilderness-therapy industry she has served as a field instructor, field director, and assistant operations director. "There is no perfect family," says Erin. "I invite people into this process from that place of understanding, knowing how arduous—but worthwhile—the challenge to heal and strengthen relationships can be."

Erin holds a master's degree in social work with an emphasis in substance abuse from the University of Utah. Her clinical specialties include experiential modalities, DBT, CBT, systems theory, strengths-based approaches, and motivational interviewing. Erin completed a three year certification in Somatic Experiencing (helping clients renegotiate trauma) and is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP). Additionally she is trained in Brainspotting level II. Erin has successfully worked with substance abuse, co-occurring diagnoses, borderline personality disorder, ADHD, anxiety, depression, oppositional-defiant disorder, failure to thrive and, her expertise, trauma and attachment.

Erin is certified both regionally and nationally as a therapeutic recreational specialist (TRS, CTRS) and has applied this specialty in wilderness therapy settings as well as at the University of Utah's Neuropsychiatric Institute.

Erin views her own ongoing quest for personal growth as a key element of her professional development. She constantly seeks to improve her understanding of human behavior and development, and strives to be the kind of person that others would choose as a mentor.

Erin grew up on a horse farm and her love for the outdoors began with family horse-pack trips. She enjoys, canyoneering, mountaineering, hiking, horseback riding, making primitive skills, and being with family as much as possible.

John worked 18 years in the juvenile justice system providing assessment and counseling services to adolescents and their families. He has also worked in a psychiatric hospital setting and began working as a primary therapist in wilderness in 2007. John was part of the first mental health unit serving juvenile offenders in the state of Ohio. John has been clinical director 3 times and recently started 2 successful young adult wilderness programs including one that was abroad.

John obtained a BA in Psychology from Ohio State University and an MS in Clinical Counseling from the University of Dayton. He has been a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor(LCMHC) since 1997 and has been doing therapy with a variety of populations for over 3 decades.

John was drawn to the wilderness setting after having many of his own incredible experiences in the wilderness. He realized how much it impacted his life and wanted to use it with what he enjoys the most, working with kids and young adults.

John was adopted and enjoys any opportunity to work with adopted young people. He has trained with some of the leading experts in adoption and attachment. John is committed to helping kids and families heal their relationships and improve communication. John believes in treating the “core” issue instead of only focusing on behaviors and believes in establishing strong relationships with his students and families as an effective means of facilitating the therapeutic process. He believes that the key to effective therapy is all about the connection. “I believe therapy is not about techniques and the latest research, but about the connection between people.”

One of John's biggest strengths is his creativity. He designs experiential groups that help set a culture of family and brotherhood. The students become extremely close in John's group. Group culture is consistently talked about on a weekly basis as well as a sense of family and brotherhood. John emphasizes the importance of complete openness and honesty in his groups and with his families. ”I feel this is the time to get everything out on the table and to share the things that you've been afraid to share in the past. I believe that this helps bring families closer together as well as improving overall communication."

John also believes in individualized treatment. He believes that you have to meet every student where they are at and that you must adjust your style depending on what each student needs. "You need to have a lot of tools in your toolbox because each student brings a set of new challenges and issues. It is important to be able to find a way in and establish a relationship with students. Oftentimes this means thinking outside the box and being creative. I challenge the students to gain insight into their own issues and I believe that the process by which they resolve their issues is more important than the issue itself."

John has also worked with the full range of behavioral and emotional challenges youth struggle with, including mood disorders, grief, attachment, trauma, substance abuse, learning and attention/impulsive disorders. He has assisted countless young people in developing stress management strategies and improving social and life skills. John has worked extensively with families in helping to improve family communication and relations. He has also supervised many clinicians working towards licensure, as well as provided training to mental health workers. Professionals who work with John note his commitment and dedication to his clients and their families as well as his professionalism and authenticity.

In his spare time he loves to mountain bike, hike, snowboard, cross-country ski, skate ski, back country snowboard, and play guitar. He is a musician on the side and has been in many bands over the years. He can frequently be seen riding his motorcycle seeking out a new adventure.

Scott Hess began his career as a marriage and family therapist in 1996, working with juvenile sex offenders in locked facilities. That experience helped Scott discover and develop his profound gift for getting to the heart of core issues with even the most calloused, oppositional clients. Scott attributes his success with resistant clients to his highly relational approach. “I focus first on building relationships of trust and respect,” says Scott. “From there I’m in a position to invite, rather than compel, students to find themselves and heal their relationships.”

Prior to joining WinGate, Scott gained additional experience in both residential and wilderness programs as a counselor, clinical director, and executive director. Scott's expertise with family systems enables him to craft solutions for the entire family system; systemic solutions help protect and sustain changes the young person makes in treatment.

Throughout his career, Scott has focused on his own personal and professional development. He is always seeking to refine his therapeutic skills and the quality of his interactions. This focus on continual personal development has earned him a solid reputation as an industry leader. More importantly, this focus has helped him personally as he and his wife raise their own four children.

My experience treating adults, adolescents, children and families in Hospital Acute mental health (MH) and addiction (AD), Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient MH and AD, Residential Addiction Treatment, Wilderness Therapy, and Individual and Group therapy allows me to work with a broad range of clientele with varying psychological, emotional, behavioral and addictive issues. Some of my areas of focus include but aren't limited to: anxiety, depression, grief, co-dependency, and addiction.

I use a holistic and eclectic approach to treat my clients. I believe that we are healthier individually and as a family unit when we are balanced in mind, body and spirit. I also believe that personal responsibility and accountability is important to life and the therapeutic relationship.

I found my passion for helping people gain hope and a renewed love for life while working as a young man in South America. This experience also blessed me with a multicultural perspective and the ability to speak Spanish fluently. I love of nature. I respect its healing power and balancing influence in my own life. This has given me an appreciation for the great affect Wilderness Therapy can and does have on others.

Danielle has been lucky enough to work with adolescents and young adults in a wide range of settings for the last 6 years. Originally starting out in a residential setting, Danielle learned quickly how healing it is for clients to work in nature as well as with animals. Wanting to explore this more, Danielle was able to expand her demographics, working with adolescents and adults in an outpatient setting who have a wide range of psychological, social and emotional needs as well as comorbid diagnoses.

Danielle has a deep understanding of the importance of working with families as well as with the clients to provide the best clinical experience that allow for everyone involved to grow as individuals. Danielle believes in a holistic approach, pulling from a variety of therapies to best fit each individual’s specific needs. Danielle takes pride in setting a safe and comfortable environment for her clients and self by aiding each new student to better understand the natural consequence model, not just at WinGate, but at home as well.

Danielle was born and raised in New England. As a true New Englander, Danielle loves spending time immersed in all of nature’s glory. Some favorites are hiking, kayaking, snowboarding, paddle boarding, rock climbing, camping, traveling the world, spending time meeting new people and reminding herself how beautiful life can be.

I am Lisa Renda, MA, LMFT, CSAT. I am a clinical staff member and I love being in the outdoors.

I can honestly say that Southern Utah called me up and asked if I would come here to work with the families in the Wingate Program. There were too many “coincidences” that nudged me into moving here after 30 years in the Pacific Northwest. Once I “picked up the phone” and responded to the “call” any obstacle I faced in transitioning from being a marriage and family therapist with a full time private practice to a wilderness therapist happened easily and naturally. Because of this undeniable experience, I am excited and also humbled to be assisting my clients in healing their spirits, bodies and relationships.

In my 25 year career, I have worked in residential treatment settings, group homes for teens transitioning out of criminal detention, community mental health child and family programs and with teens and families in the foster care system. I enjoy working with teens and young adults. They are always fun and most assuredly challenging. When they recognize their authentic sense of self and learn to speak their truth, they are unstoppable in their positive growth. I have seen this change happen for many people, and it helps me to inspire hope in those who feel hopeless.

I consider myself a specialist in treating attachment wounds and complex trauma including PTSD. I am a trained Attachment Focused EMDR therapist (EMDR is an evidenced based method to heal trauma wounds) and I am currently working towards my certification in Somatic Experiencing, which is another evidenced based treatment for trauma, enhancing the body’s natural instinct to heal itself. Additionally, I am certified with the International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP) as a Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist. My main approaches in doing therapy involve teaching about attachment, neurobiology and the brain, self compassion and most importantly, healthy relationships.

The longer I work with anxiety, depression, trauma and attachment wounds, the more I am drawn to the natural world; to what is wild. Nature convinces me that each one of us has within ourselves exactly what is needed to heal, if we learn to ask for help.

I enjoy spending time with my spouse, our four adult children and their significant others as well as my two granddaughters. I am an avid outdoor enthusiast and I am always looking to do another hike, another paddle on the kayak and less frequently, a bike ride or pickleball. I love to learn about history and read about all kinds of topics, and it’s also true that I am a skilled TV program binge watcher. I keep telling myself I’ll learn to golf and do some horseback riding. I am hoping to get more into doing something with visual art and I have been known to join a choir or two. Life is full of possibilities!

Dr. Dale Christensen has been practicing emergency medicine for over 15 years and is currently a staff physician at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, UT. He joined our team in 2012 when one of his partners and mentors, Dr. Keith Hooker, a pioneer, long-time consultant, and promoter of wilderness therapy programs asked him to assume his role due to terminal illness. He is grateful for that opportunity.

In addition to WinGate, Dr. Christensen is a consultant/medical director to four other wilderness programs in Utah. His experience in emergency medicine qualifies him with a broad base of medical knowledge necessary to oversee the safety and health of WinGate students and staff. He lives in Springville, UT with his wife, Gaylene, and they have 4 children. His interests include fitness and weight loss consulting, snowboarding, Lake Powell, and general aviation.

Jake's formal education consists of an AS Degree from Dixie State University, a BSN Degree from Southern Utah University, and a MSN Degree, a APRN Psychiatric, and BC from the University of Utah. Jake is also a licensed APRN in the State of Utah. His work experience consists of: Private Practice of Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatry at St. George, Utah, and at LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT, Charge RN Psychiatric, Adult and Child Psychiatric at Dixie Regional Medical Center, St. George, UT.

A Utah-native, Kyle has spent his whole life in the wilderness, exploring the desert. If he didn’t go exploring with his grandfather, Kyle would bring his dog on his adventures. Curiosity and learning have always been a passion for Kyle, especially when he could have fun doing so. In the Boy Scout, he kept earning his “fun” merit badges multiple times and never received his Eagle award. Keeping to his roots, Kyle then joined the Utah national guard and would spend most of his time off-road driving and learning to cook. It wasn’t until he started at Aspen Achievement Academy in 1992 that he knew he had found his calling.

Kyle has worked for wilderness therapy programs since and can proudly claim more than 2000 trail days to his name. Exploring different jobs within the programs, Kyle has previous experience in transport, logistics, education and in the administrative departments. In 2006 he took his EMT certification, adding to that wilderness and rural medicine which makes him very knowledgeable in the medical field.

When Kyle is not working at Wingate, he volunteer for the local ambulance service, read and listen to multiple books, and loves to learn and at times put what he learns into little projects.Kyle is happily married, and the proud father of three adult kids.

Chris had his first experience of wilderness in high school. He signed up for a week long survival course in the Escalante area of Utah. He loved it so much he did it the following year as well. His sister was sent to a wilderness program in Arizona where he was introduced to wilderness therapy. He signed up and ended up walking the trail for 6 years.

Chris brings a diverse array of knowledge from his experience in the world of Residential Treatment of emotional dysregulation, eating disorders, addiction/recovery and hospital settings. He has been an integral executive team member in many programs.

He has been the person to create systems and processes to enhance the organizational infrastructure. Chris spends much of his time in the mountains, canyons and lakes of Utah. His love for outdoor adventure, in his words, ‘fills my soul.’ He is often found rock climbing, trail running, canyoneering, skiing, snowboarding, motocross, and boating.

Humanitarian service has been important and a focus for him when given opportunities. He has ran a clothing donation program for immigrant families for over 12 years. He tends to these communities offering medical assistance as needed. He finds value in service and giving to those who could use someone looking out for them.

Education has been a constant in his life. He continues to obtain multiple degrees; physical science, psychology and nursing. He is working towards obtaining his license to prescribe with a doctorate in Family Medicine and Psychiatric care. He has a desire to create reform and share his philosophy with medication management.

A two week backcountry canoe trip through the Boundary Waters in Minnesota is where Lauren found her true love for being in the wild. This started her on a journey that included leading many trips into the wilderness and eventually earning a degree in Adventure Recreation and Sociology from Ohio University.

Taking students into the outdoors and witnessing the power nature has to quiet, challenge and calm, Lauren knew there was more to this experience than what a weekend can offer. After college Lauren moved to Utah to be in the mountains and found a therapeutic boarding school where she started her career. From her first stop as a direct care staff, Lauren has worked with families through the admissions process in wilderness and residential settings and also spent a few years working with a therapeutic educational consulting firm. After nearly 12 years in the field Lauren is still humbled by the amount of trust given to her from the families she works with.

Lauren spends as much time as possible outdoors with her husband and two young children. Being able to live in a place where she can play outside with her kids year round brings Lauren such happiness. You may also find her tending to her flock of chickens or trying to talk her family into getting goats.

Teague brings 9 years of wilderness therapy experience to the WinGate team. Teague was introduced to wilderness therapy as a student of WinGate in 2010. For WinGate, she has worked as a transporter, transport coordinator, field instructor, office manager, clinical assistant, executive assistant, and now works in admissions. She has seen first hand, in multiple positions, the changes adolescents and young adults can make through wilderness treatment. She now lives a full, healthy, and happy life with her husband of 7 years and her young baby girl. She loves helping families bring their children into WinGate as easily and stress-free as possible.

Heidi Stangeland was born and raised in Norway, and moved to the United States in 2011. Heidi began working at WinGate in 2018 as a transporter. In her time at WinGate, she has helped support families and students in many capacities; and currently serves as a family coordinator, clinical assistant, and admissions assistant.

As a Norwegian native, Heidi loves the outdoors, and spent a lot of time cross-country skiing and spending time at the coast with her family in her native country. Although the southwest desert is a stark change from the Norwegian coast, Heidi loves the wilderness and being outside in the red rocks feels natural. Outside of WinGate, Heidi is an optioned, and award-winning screenwriter, and draws inspiration from the environment and natural world.

Heidi currently resides with her three children in Kanab, Utah.

“As a single mother, the philosophy of Arbinger is very important, and help me relate to and connect with my kids."